Today the President spoke about technology to community college officials in Minneapolis. His speech hit on hydrogen fuel cells and digital medical records before turning to broadband. In addition to support for a permanent ban on Internet access taxes, Bush called for reducing regulatory hurdles to investment, easier access to federal lands to build facilities and standards for broadband powerline.
Drawing on a favorite pastime in Crawford, Bush had this to say: "[w]e're going to continue to support the Federal Communications Commission. Michael Powell -- Chairman Michael Powell, under his leadership, his decision to eliminate burdensome regulations on new broadband networks availability to homes. In other words, clearing out the underbrush of regulation, and we'll get the spread of broadband technology, and America will be better for it."
The President asserted "America leads the world because of our system of private enterprise and a system that encourages innovation. And it is important that we keep it that way. See, I think the proper role for government is not to try to create wealth, but to create an environment in which the entrepreneurial spirit flourishes." He is on to something with that innovation idea. The speech is here. AP and Reuters have coverage. Senator Kerry's broadband proposals are due out any day.